Queen Elizabeth has traditional Christmas

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SANDRINGHAM, England, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Queen Elizabeth II of Britain enjoyed a traditional Christmas at Sandringham, her estate in eastern England, including church with her family.

But Prince William, second in line to the throne, and his pregnant wife, the former Kate Middleton, spent the holiday with his in-laws at their estate in Berkshire, The Sun reported. The Middletons and their son-in-law attended a service at St. Mark's in Englefield, passing a gauntlet of photographers.

In Norfolk, the queen, her husband, Prince Philip, her four children and an assortment of grandchildren and other family members were greeted by about 3,000 well-wishers outside St. Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk. The queen spoke to 80 children, including Freedom Tansely, a Boy Scout who gave the queen a teddy bear decorated with badges celebrating her Jubilee.

William's younger brother, Prince Harry, was also missing from Sandringham. He is serving with the military in Afghanistan.

In her Christmas message, broadcast for the first time in 3-D, the queen talked about the excitement of the London Olympics and praised volunteers.

Last year, Philip spent the holiday in a Cambridge hospital recovering from heart surgery. This year, the 91-year-old prince was at his wife's side.